When times are bad or seem just plain weird, it’s family, friends and community that count. And these are such weird times. What’s happening in the USA just now seems to be all about money and trade. More and more I care about the communities in which we live, share our lives and support one another. When I think about thriving communities, as I do most of the time, it’s not just about the economics, it’s about our relationships, our sense of mutual responsibility, our beautiful place, our local culture and heritage.

This is why I think our Forest arts, sports, culture and heritage are so important. They help to shape the fabric of our communities and enrich our lives. They give us joy and inspiration, a sense of identity and belonging, and a shared history. They can have immediate benefits for our personal and social well-being, bringing meaning and value to our lives.

And, yes, they are good for the economy too. Indeed, the recent Devolution White Paper was keen to reinforce this message, that ‘The UK’s culture, heritage, sport and tourism are vital anchors in regional economies and among the fastest growing industries with huge potential to drive local economic growth and create opportunities for people in every part of the UK.’ We want to support a vibrant cultural environment in the Forest of Dean which will attract more visitors and create places where people are drawn to relocate their business and workforce. Because the Forest is a great place to be.

As resources become more scarce, we must find more ingenious ways to look after our public spaces, where we can express ourselves through art, craft, sport, dance and listen to music, go to the theatre for drama, cherish our heritage in museums, visit our galleries and sustain the essential work of our libraries. ‘Together culture and education help us appreciate the beauty, diversity and complexity of the world, acquire essential skills and behaviours to thrive and build bridges between people and nations, today and tomorrow’. (UNESCO)

Our Forest arts, sports, culture and heritage are essential elements contributing to our health and well-being, for the benefit of our local economy, for what they can bring to education and our shared sense of community. In this rapidly changing world, as we look ahead to what will define the Forest, what makes it special and how we retain the best of what we are, let’s build on, cherish and encourage the best of what we already have.